Shabbos Observant Jack Lew Nominated US Ambassador to Israel

By COLlive reporter

Former US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was nominated by President Joe Biden as the new ambassador to Israel, it was reported on Tuesday.

If approved, he replaces outgoing ambassador Tom Nides at a time when there has been tension between Biden’s White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right wing and religious government.

Lew, former chief of staff of President Barack Obama who also served in the administration of President Bill Clinton, has himself has criticized Netanyahu in the past over his sharp opposition to the Iran nuclear deal.

Lew, who is 68, is an Orthodox Jew who is Shabbos observant. A resident of the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Lew is married to Ruth Schwartz and the couple have 2 children.

Lew, a Democrat, will likely face a tough confirmation battle as Republicans seek to challenge Biden’s policies toward Israel, CNN reported.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) and senior Shliach in Washington, DC, has been friends with Lew for 30 years.

Lew was honored with lighting the National Menorah placed by Chabad on the Ellipse alongside Rabbi Shemtov and his father, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, the Rebbe’s Shliach to the White House and Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International. Lew also addressed other functions organized by Chabad.

“Secretary Lew has many positive attributes. Perhaps most important, if this speculation becomes a reality, is his unique ability not only to be beloved by those who agree with him but enjoy the respect of those who might not,” Rabbi Shemtov told JNS.

“His storied career and many successful achievements over his decades of service will probably factor significantly with whoever may be involved in making or ratifying the actual decision,” he added.